Summer is the perfect season for some downtime. But many I.T. pros need to keep tabs on what's happening at the office. Here's how.

The bags are packed, the e-mails checked. It's time for some downtime.

But for some I.T. professionals, a vacation is never quite a vacation. If you're one of those who like to keep tabs on projects and personnel, you'll need to prepare.

Baseline has put together some tips for staying connected far away from the office. Whether you're on the beach, out on the lake, or nowhere near the usual summer destinations, keeping in the loop can be pretty easy.

But there are also some techie tactics for staying informed without wasting too much time in the sun.

Let us know what you think. Have you tried any other ways to keep connected? Which tactics are best? Sound off at editors@baselinemag.com.

Associate Editor

Brian joined Baseline in March 2006. In addition to previous stints at Inter@ctive Week and The Net Economy, he's written for The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., as well as The Sunday Tribune in Dublin, Ireland. Brian has a B.A. from Bucknell University and a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.